Over 70 And Just Getting Started: The Unstoppable Life of Glenda Barnett

Ever wondered what it’s like to live life on full throttle at 73? Meet Glenda Barnett, a vivacious author, performer, and all-round adventurer living in the deepest, darkest Devon (UK). She writes cosy murder mysteries featuring witty women of a certain age, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

From Cosy Mysteries to Daring Adventures: How One Woman Redefines Life After 70

Married for nearly 54 years, a mother of three and grandmother of three, Glenda is also a proud member of a women’s comedy troupe called ‘The Fannys’. She also never backs down from a challenge, like taking a topless plunge into the sea for supporting her local hospital, because, well, why not?

“I think of myself as a Crunchy Lady,” she says “Because I try to say yes to every opportunity offered, whether that’s singing in the Albert Hall, belly dancing in Morocco, dancing at the Moulin Rouge… or being a ‘Fanny’.”

Glenda’s career path has been anything but conventional. From writing copy in newspapers to working as an auctioneer, a bank employee, and finally spending eight rewarding years with special needs children in secondary school, she has embraced every chapter of life with enthusiasm. “Those kids taught me far more than I could ever teach them,” she reflects.

Freedom is one of the greatest perks of getting older, Glenda believes. “Who doesn’t like a little old lady? You can wear what you like, I do sometimes dress like a 17-year-old. You can be outrageous, eccentric, but always kind. I have time for wild adventures with friends: we just spent three days in Paris, including the Moulin Rouge. I can walk my dog, potter in the garden, and, most importantly, write my books.”

Curiosity Has No Expiry Date For Glenda Barnett

When she’s not plotting murders or directing her village pantomime, Glenda is a dab hand at sewing and knitting, a hobby she calls perfect for mindfulness. Her advice to others? “Don’t strive for perfection, strive for the best you can achieve and still enjoy yourself. The only perfect thing in this world is a snowflake and you need a microscope to see it. Whenever awful things happen, there is always a chink of light: a supportive smile, a kind gesture, a crumb of comfort. Watch for it and treasure it.”

Glenda’s love of storytelling is rooted in magical realism. One of her favourite books is ‘Like Water for Chocolate‘ by Laura Esquivel, about a young woman in Mexico who pours all her love into her cooking. “It’s a wonderful story,” she says. Her own novels range from comedy murder mysteries set in a small North Devon village to craft-inspired cosy mysteries, such as Murder at the Knitting Retreat. “My characters are relentless in telling me their stories, they won’t be contained in one book,” she explains.

The joy of her life extends beyond writing. Glenda writes and directs her village pantomime, a truly inclusive event for participants aged four to ninety-two. “We sing, we dance, and we laugh together. Oh, and not forgetting the after-rehearsal tipple in the village social club!”

At 73, Glenda Barnett is proof that midlife is what you make of it: lively, adventurous, and full of stories waiting to be told. She doesn’t just write inspiring characters: she is one.

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